Raymond (Ray) Emil Guggisberg – Perham, MN

Raymond (Ray) Emil Guggisberg, 95, died Monday, November 18, 2024 at his home in Perham, Minnesota with family at his side. Ray was born at home May 19, 1929 in Willow Lake Township, Redwood County, Minnesota to Henry and Fredericka (Kruse) Guggisberg. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith May 30, 1929 and confirmed on June 27, 1943 at Trinity Lutheran, Willow Lake Township. Growing up on the family farm in Willow Lake Township. He completed 8th grade at Wanda Public School before attending Lamberton High School. Ray and Darlene Fixsen were married September 12, 1950 and they were blessed to have four children together. They began their married life on Ray’s parents’ family farm. In 1956 they moved to Amor Township in Otter Tail County. Four years later, they moved to Evergreen Township, Becker County. Leaving dairy farming in 1961, they started a career in the real estate business in Fergus Falls, MN before moving to Battle Lake, MN in 1962. Ray returned to his farming roots when he took a job as a supervisor for Dairy Herd Improvement Association. He tested milk for farmers all across Minnesota and made many friends. For several years after retirement, Ray worked for Battle Lake Public School, driving the van for special-needs children. In 2019, Ray’s beloved wife of 69 years, Darlene passed away. Two years later, after 59 years in the big red house overlooking West Battle Lake, he sold the family home and moved to a townhome in Perham, MN where he lived independently until his death. Nourishing his faith with church attendance was a priority for Ray. He was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henning, Minnesota where he served as Sunday School superintendent and teacher. He and Darlene were instrumental in starting Life in Christ, a LCMS Mission Church in Battle Lake. After moving to Perham, he became a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran there. Ray enjoyed many years with his bowling team. He took Darlene fishing in a boat, but he really preferred ice fishing. He spent many hours in his “other red house” on the lake. He was also a passionate vegetable gardener. He and Darlene preserved what they couldn’t eat and shared the rest. (He continued to grow tomatoes on his patio in Perham.) Ray also loved playing cards and board games with his family. Yahtzee was his favorite, and he often scored two Yahtzees in a single game. And he could be found, even into his 90s, happily tossing bean bags. Ray is survived by his four children: Chad Guggisberg, Buhl, MN; Connie Johnson, Forest Lake, MN; Marcia (Peter) Eggen, Battle Lake, MN; and Delia (Doug) Whitcomb, Hugo, MN. He leaves 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Rich) Samec (Maja and Chloe); Emily (Clayton) Zeidler (Jillian, Vienna and Genevieve); Louisa (Jason) Scorich (Zelda); Lara (Pat) Kempen; Mairin (Adam) Heath (Lawson and Myles); Jesse (Shauna) Johnson (Conner, Isabelle and Lenora); Jake (Lindsey) Johnson (Colton and Tate); Thor (Vanessa) Eggen (Hayden and Silas); Eli Eggen (fiancée, Pam Khang); Darcy (Ted) Frederickson (Jack and Grace); Brady (Andrea) Whitcomb (Sebastian and Lachlan); and his brother, Vernon Guggisberg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; his parents; son-in-law, Bruce Johnson; daughter-in-law, Joyce Guggisberg; brothers, Harold, Roy, Louis and Herbert; sisters, Hertha Zimmerman, Lorna Moore and Alice Krizan. Visitation was Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service was 11 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Perham, MN. Interment was at Lakewood Cemetery in Battle Lake, MN. Arrangements entrusted with the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Battle Lake. Condolences can be made online at www.GlendeNilson.com.